United Way accepting funding requests

Crawford
County United Way is heading into its annual allocation season and is seeking applications
from local nonprofit human services agencies and organizations for fund
distribution throughout 2019-2020.

Last
year, Crawford County United Way (CCUW) distributed funds to nine local human
services agencies as well as presented the eighth LIVE UNITED Community Service
Award scholarship, supported Project Graduation, Grayling High School
RoboVikes, Kids Day in the Park, 2-1-1 Northeast Michigan Call Center, helped
our neighbors with free discount prescription drug cards through our FamilyWize
Community Service partnership, and helped employed low-income people get free
eye examinations through VisionUSA.

The mission of the United Way
movement is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one
another. Through a single community-wide campaign, United Way volunteers raise
funds to support local agency service providers.

“Our
relationship with everyone in this community has helped us help many people in
a variety of ways for many years,” said Cheryll Ruley, CCUW Executive Director.
“The generosity comes from every age group, every income level, and every
neighborhood. We care about each other and it shows.”

The
CCUW’s 2019-2020 funding base continues to need a boost. “Even with the
increased fundraising efforts, we’re going to have a difficult time meeting agency
funding requests. Support from businesses and individuals is needed more than
ever,” Ruley explained.

Agencies
applying for funding from Crawford County United Way must be a nonprofit
charitable health and human service organization, fully describe their array of
services, demonstrate how they meet local needs, and prove their
cost-effectiveness and accountability to the community.

The board of directors makes the decisions
about how the funds will be distributed. The board assesses our community’s
human services needs, meets with service providers to discuss funding
requirements when necessary, and approves the funding level for the various
programs and agencies.

“Once again this year, we will not
be mailing out application packets to prior recipients,” said Karen Hatley,
President of CCUW. “Every penny is important, so we are asking, again, that all
previous recipients and new requesters please contact us for an application to
help save on printing and mailing costs.”

To receive an application, beginning
March 1, 2019, email crawforduw@gmail.com and request an application, which
will be sent via email. The deadline to submit applications is April 1, 2019.
Call (989) 350-4462 with any questions.

Donations should be sent to CCUW,
P.O. Box 171, Grayling, MI 49738 or via our secure PayPal Donate button at
www.crawfordunitedway.org/give. All donations are tax deductible and stay in
our community.